For those of a certain vintage the return of the Soloist is likely to trigger a trip down memory lane. Back in the early 2000s it was the bike that many people credit with starting the modern aero revolution, with its extruded aerofoil tubes developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics no less, the first of their kind.
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
Cervélo famously started as an underfunded uni project (opens in new tab) but thanks to Team CSC the Canadian brand received plenty of racing exposure, with the likes of the Schleck brothers, Tyler Hamilton, Jens Voigt and Ivan Basso all riding the Soloist to victory on the WorldTour.
But the bicycle industry waits for no one, and by 2008 the Soloist was phased out, replaced by Cervélo’s S range. Still, its influence was profound and every modern aero race bike (opens in new tab) still has a little bit of the Soloist’s DNA in its make-up.
So given the popularity, and proliferation, of wind-cheating, watt-saving race machines today, it’s little surprise that Cervélo has decided to bring it back. However, its aero credentials are only half the story of the Soloist’s comeback.
(Image credit: Cervélo )
With Cervélo’s current road line-up featuring the Tour de France winning S5 (opens in new tab)and R5 (opens in new tab)as well as the endurance-focused Caledonia 5 (opens in new tab), which niche would the Soloist now serve, especially given the enhanced aerodynamics of the latest S5?
Interestingly, Cervélo has chosen to position the new Soloist as an affordable, and practical, bike for what it calls the “week in, week out amateur racer.” It claims that it’s a touch lighter than the S5 and significantly more aerodynamic than the R5, although it doesn’t provide any numbers to substantiate this.
It’s clear that it borrows from all three road bikes currently in its line up, though. The geometry is similar to that of the R5, known for its precise and responsive handling as much as its low weight. A size 54 Soloist has a stack height of 540mm, a head tube angle of 73 degrees, chainstays measuring 410mm and a wheelbase of 977mm – which match those of the R5 (the stack on the R5 is .7mm higher) and suggest a bike that should be equally as well balanced in its handling.
(Image credit: Cervélo )
Naturally, being a Soloist there’s plenty of attention to aerodynamics. The bike acknowledges its past as a drag-reducing trailblazer by keeping it pretty cutting edge. While the head tube area…